We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 16

We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 16 Summary

Judy is stunned when Ethan suddenly appears beside Irene, his fiancée, and her wolf instinctively retreats within her mind. Ethan seems momentarily dazed and initially does not recognize Judy, claiming he has never met her before. This painful denial hits Judy hard, as they had been together for two years but now seem like strangers. Irene is confused but kind, trying to understand the situation, while Ethan awkwardly tries to comfort her.

Gavin, Judy’s father, breaks the tension by explaining that Ethan was probably surprised to see a woman at the house since he rarely brings girlfriends home. Irene introduces herself and Ethan, and Judy politely returns the greeting, trying to be civil despite the emotional turmoil. Irene recognizes the Montague name and expresses sympathy for Judy’s family troubles, which Judy prefers not to discuss.

The conversation shifts as Irene questions her father about Judy’s presence, learning she is Matt’s new tutor. Gavin clarifies that Judy is not romantically involved with him but hopes she will stay for a while, as Matt seems to like her. Ethan’s gaze lingers on Judy, showing a mix of hope and excitement upon hearing she is not Gavin’s girlfriend, which unsettles Judy.

Gavin sternly warns Ethan to be sure about his commitment to Irene and to settle his affairs, hinting at his knowledge of Ethan and Judy’s past connection as fated mates. Ethan’s pale reaction confirms he understands the warning. Irene, unaware of the tension beneath the surface, happily shows off a necklace Ethan gave her—a piece Judy had once wished for but was never given. This moment deepens Judy’s pain as she witnesses Ethan’s apparent devotion to Irene.

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Judy’s POV

I couldn’t believe my eyes when Ethan appeared before me, standing right beside Irene. My wolf instinctively withdrew, retreating deep into the farthest corners of my mind, shutting herself away from even my own awareness.

“Ethan?” Irene repeated softly, reaching out to touch his arm. But Ethan’s dark eyes were locked onto me, filled with a cold intensity, oblivious to his fiancée’s attempt to get his attention. Only when her hand made contact did he blink several times, as if waking from a daze, suddenly recalling where he was and who he was with.

At last, he turned to look at Irene, noticing the concern etched across her face.

“Do you know this woman?” she asked again, her voice trembling slightly.

“Uh, no,” Ethan responded, shaking his head and clearing his throat awkwardly. “Sorry, I honestly don’t know what just happened. I’ve never met her before.”

His words hit me like a harsh slap. Two years together, and this was the bitter truth we were left with—strangers to each other.

Irene’s face showed confusion and doubt; I could see it clearly. I was too stunned, too wounded, to say anything. My eyes remained fixed on Ethan as he tried to comfort his fiancée. Each moment, my heart ached painfully at the sight of them standing there, united.

“Ethan was probably just surprised I brought a woman home,” Gavin interjected calmly, breaking the tense silence.

The present moment snapped back into focus for me. I tore my gaze away from Ethan and looked up at Gavin. His expression was steady, but his eyes were sharp and locked on Ethan, as if silently warning him.

Understanding dawned in Irene’s eyes, and she finally turned her attention toward me. Her blue eyes sparkled with a curious kindness I hadn’t expected.

“My father never brings girlfriends home,” she explained softly, “so I get why Ethan was confused. You must be very special. I’m sorry for the strange introduction. I’m Irene Landry, and this is my fiancé, Ethan Cash.”

I forced a polite smile, not wanting her to misjudge me. Ethan’s betrayal wasn’t her fault, and she seemed genuinely sweet. The least I could do was make an effort, especially since I’d be around tutoring Matt for some time.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said carefully. “I’m Judy Montague.”

“Montague?” Irene’s brows furrowed slightly. “That name rings a bell. Where have I heard it before?”

“My father is Reggie Montague,” I replied quietly. “He’s the Delta of the Redmoon pack.”

“Oh, right!” she exclaimed, then paled. “I heard about what happened with his company. I’m really sorry for you and your family.”

I nodded, not wanting to delve into my family’s troubles with the woman my mate had left me for.

She seemed to sense my discomfort and wisely changed the subject, clearing her throat before glancing up at her father.

“Dad, where did you find this stunning young woman? I didn’t realize you were seeing someone new,” Irene said, hands resting on her hips. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I’m not in a relationship with Miss Montague,” Gavin replied sharply. “She’s Matt’s new tutor.”

Irene’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Another tutor?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “What number is that now? Forty?”

“Forty-nine,” Gavin murmured, “but I think this one might be different. Your brother seems to have taken a liking to Judy. I’m hoping she’ll stay a while.”

“A tutor, huh?” Ethan said, his gaze finding mine again. “Isn’t that something?”

There was something in his eyes that unsettled me—an odd mix of hope and excitement upon learning I wasn’t Gavin’s girlfriend, just Matt’s tutor.

Gavin cleared his throat, his eyes darkening as he shot a warning glare at Ethan.

“You should start thinking about your wedding date to make sure neither of you has any loose ends, and that you’re fully committed to each other,” Gavin said, his gaze never leaving Ethan’s.

Ethan’s face paled at the implication. I understood the double meaning behind Gavin’s words—he knew about my past with Ethan, that I was his fated mate. The warning was clear, and judging by Ethan’s reaction, he understood it too.

Irene simply smiled brightly and slipped her arm around Ethan’s.

“Oh, we’re definitely devoted to each other,” she said happily. “Ethan is the best guy I’ve ever been with. Did I even show you the necklace he bought me?”

She untangled herself from Ethan’s side and reached into the neckline of her dress, pulling out a stunning golden necklace with a deep purple pendant surrounded by tiny diamonds. It was the very same necklace I had seen displayed in the window of that high-end jewelry store last year. I had asked Ethan to buy it for me on several occasions, but he always brushed it off, choosing something else instead.

Conclusion

The encounter with Ethan and Irene left Judy reeling, a stark reminder of how much had changed and how far apart their lives had drifted. Despite the pain of seeing the man she once loved so close to another, Judy found a flicker of unexpected kindness in Irene’s demeanor, a small comfort amid the turmoil. The tension between past and present lingered palpably, underscoring the complex web of emotions tied to love, loss, and moving forward.

As the evening unfolded, the unspoken warnings and subtle glances painted a picture of unresolved history and guarded futures. Judy’s resolve to focus on her role as Matt’s tutor hinted at a quiet strength beneath her wounded heart. Though the past still cast long shadows, there was a tentative hope that new connections might be forged, even in the midst of the ashes left behind by love once lost.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and unresolved tensions between Judy and Ethan, as well as the complex dynamics within the Landry family. Judy’s encounter with Irene has opened a door to new uncertainties—how will Ethan truly feel when confronted with the reality of their shared past? The subtle yet charged interactions hint at undercurrents of jealousy, regret, and perhaps a rekindling of feelings that neither of them can easily dismiss.

Meanwhile, Gavin’s protective and commanding presence looms large, his warning to Ethan signaling that the stakes are higher than ever. As Judy steps further into the Landry household, her role as Matt’s tutor may become more than just a simple job—it could be the catalyst that forces hidden truths to the surface. The fragile balance of loyalties, love, and rivalry is about to be tested, leaving readers eager to see how these delicate threads will unravel or bind the characters together in unexpected ways.

Sara is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

Shadow Slave By Author.NovelNozi.com Chapter 16

We Built a Kingdom From Ashes That Still Remembered Love by Aila Frost 16